EFFECT OF SPERM CONCENTRATION AND SITE OF INSEMINATION ON CONCEPTION RATE OF RABBITS

Rowida, M. Rriad, T.S.T. Seleem, K.H. El-Kholy, Z.M. Rawash

Abstract
   A total number of 16 mature bucks and 190 monoparous does' of New Zealand White rabbits were used in this work. The aim of this study was to evaluate some reproductive traits and semen quality. The traits measured were semen-ejaculate; sperm motility; sperm-cell concentration; the percentages of live spermatozoa; total-sperm abnormalities and acrosomal damages by conventional technique. Pooled semen sample was divided into two homogeneous parts then diluted with glucose yolk citrate diluents. The dilution rates were 1: 5 and 1: 10. The kindling rate and litter size at birth were recorded. Results of first experiment showed that the ejaculates with high percentage of motile spermatozoa was 74.42 ± 3.34; low percentage of dead spermatozoa was17.02 ± 2.71; sperm abnormalities (14.39 ± 1.03); acrosomal damages prior to their inclusion in the final pool (12.26 ± 0.96), and sperm cell concentration (450.41±43.94). Results of second experiment indicated that the average length of the vaginal tract was 14.5 ± 19.5 cm. Semen dilution rate at 1: 5 resulted high significant (P<0.05) conception and kindling rates compared to semen dilution rate of 1:10. Similarly, the conception rate was increased significantly (P<0.05), where the insemination catheter deeply deposits diluted semen into vaginal tract to depth 12 cm, giving better conception and kindling rates than in the case of 4 or 8 cm.

Key words: rabbit; semen; dilution rate; AI; straw length